Columns

The Kidneys Perform a Necessary Life Function

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 83-year-old white male. I am overweight and have high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes. I recently have been diagnosed with stage 4 kidney failure. I’m told that I have three strikes against me with these health issues, and there is not much hope in saving my kidneys from further damage. I’m told its inevitable that I will be headed for dialysis. I feel that I’ve been given a death sentence! Is there any hope for me? — D.M.S. ANSWER: There is always hope. The kidneys filter toxins from the blood, and are necessary for life. In cases of complete ...

Mom Pressured to Teach Native Language to Daughter

DEAR ABBY: I came to this country 30 years ago, at 16. My parents were very abusive and neglectful, so my uncle in the U.S. took me in. I have worked with therapists, and my mind is clear about my past. I now have a 14-year-old daughter. I do not speak to her in my native language. It is not very good at expressing love and caring, and has more emphasis on strict hierarchy and obedience. There are many things I cannot convey in my native language. One must understand the huge cultural difference between my native country and the U.S. In addition, I do not want to force my ...

Chopped Cranberries

Dear Heloise: If you need chopped cranberries to make cranberry bread and you don’t have a food processor, just put all the wet ingredients into a blender, mix, then add the cranberries for a pulse or two. So easy! — Margaret, La Mirada, Calif. VEGETABLE CHOWDER WITH BEER Dear Heloise: You had a soup recipe that sounded strange when I read it, but I made it and it was terrific! It called for beer and cheese as I recall, but I have forgotten the name of the soup. Could you reprint that recipe? — Patty G., Stowe, Vt. Patty, I love this recipe too! Vegetable Chowder With Beer ...

Wife Grapples With Family’s History of Sexual Dysfunction

DEAR ABBY: When my husband and I were first married, I had no idea why his mother and sisters were so hostile. When they started treating our children the same way, my husband finally addressed the issue. We moved out of town, and he finally told me that when he was in his teens and early 20s, he had had sex with all of them, which was why they didn’t like me. After an estrangement of many years, he has now started talking to his mother and sisters again. His mother is now in her 70s. It breaks my heart that he is talking to people he had sex with, but he says it is OK because they ...

They Need to Chill. Tips for Turning Seeds Into Trees

How exciting to think of a full-size tree locked up within each seed still clinging to the branches of sugar maples, hornbeams, oaks, sycamores and other trees at the end of summer. It was with such visions that I dropped an apple seed into some potting soil in an 8-inch clay flower pot one ...

Beware Scammers

Dear Readers: With a COVID vaccine approved, be careful, because, as with a lot of things, here come the scammers. Always check with your doctor and or pharmacist before reaching out to an online pharmacy or anyone calling, texting or emailing you stating they have a COVID vaccine. Never give out any personal information to these people. — Heloise TECH TALK TUESDAY — TWO FACTOR AUTHENTICATION Dear Readers: Two factor authentication, what is it? Think of it as an extra layer of protection when you’re online. When you log onto a website (a financial institution, your email ...